From nationwide chains like LA Fitness and Anytime Fitness to buzzy group training facilities like Orangetheory Fitness and F45 Training, everyone’s competing for the fitness dollar by promising to change your life.

In addition to each of the aforementioned chains, don’t forget the many hybrid facilities (like us), studios, boxes, and specialty training centers doing the same.

When we’re all promising the same thing, who really can change your life? What does one facility do that others can’t? Who can you trust to actually care about your well-being in and away from the gym? Who’s in it for the relationships and results more than the dollars and cents?

The truth is you’re stuck navigating a complex web of options to find the right people and place to embark on the life-changing transformation you crave. Could we be the...

Yes, if you want to transform your body into a lean, fat-burning machine, the carbs gotta go. Those unwanted fat cells will shrink as your body uses fat for fuel, and you’ll be one happy camper as the number on the scale nosedives.

While we just painted a pretty picture of weight loss on a low-carb diet, it’s never as easy as it sounds. If you’re currently on a low-carb diet and having trouble losing weight (frustrating ... we know), it’s possible your own mistakes are to blame.

Let’s take a look at the 10 common mistakes people make that prevent them from losing weight on a low-carb diet. Cutting carbs is never easy, so what’s the point if your hard work isn't paying off?

The three-letter acronym, OCR, has quickly gone from obscure to iconic as brands like Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, and Warrior Dash have transformed into household names.

Whether you’ve been aboard the bandwagon since the sport passed 1-million participants in 2011 (and its subsequent boom), or are brand new to the mud, sweat, and tears, you need to prepare properly before jumping into the fun.

After all, there’s no way your current lifestyle has you ready to take on fire, cargo nets, twisting monkey bars, and “Electroshock Therapy.”

While some of the obstacles might sound like they’ve been plucked from horror films, OCR is an equal-opportunity event stealing the hearts of a melting pot of participants.

For those who don’t have fire, mud, and monkey bars at their disposal, the best way to train for your first OCR is to mimic the movements you can expect to see on the course.

As nerve-wracking as your initial race can be, it’s time to breathe a sigh of relief...

This 9-exercise guide will kickstart your training regimen and give you the blueprint you need to succeed on the course. And if you haven’t already explored our Pre-Race Checklist and OCR-Prep Guide, add them to your list of required reading.

Keep scrolling for the 9 best exercises you can do right now to get your body ready for the unique challenges of Obstacle Course Racing.

Top 9 Exercises to Ace Before Your First Obstacle Course Race

Rope Climbs. From the Spartan Race’s notorious rope to the Warrior Dash’s “Warrior Summit,” each course has its own twist on rope climbs. Regardless of the variation, your best bet is to hop on a rope to build the upper body and grip strength...

Some personal trainers, however, can cost a pretty penny. If you don’t have the right trainer by your side, you might as well be flushing money down the toilet. So how do you know if you’re just wasting money on your trainer?

Check out these types of trainers and see if yours identifies with any:

1. “The Liability” Trainer

The “Uncertified” & Unexperienced Trainer. You wouldn’t go see a ‘doctor’ without a medical degree, would you? Why would you trust a ‘trainer’ without a certification or experience?

This could be a dangerous game. Safety should be the top concern, followed by an effective workout.

It is likely that an uncertified, unexperienced trainer will not understand how to adapt to your needs and goals.

A good trainer not only needs to obtain the appropriate knowledge base, but they must be able to apply that information to a wide variety...

You’ve probably heard the old myth that it’s best to lose weight slowly.

Some say, “try to lose one pound per week, as it is more easily sustained.”

I say, “Are you kidding me?!

You want me to take 30 weeks to lose 30 lbs. I don’t think so!"

Truth be told, no one has time for that. Lives are on the line.

So, while most fitness professionals won’t share their deep secrets, I’m going to let you in on 4 secrets that will help you get the weight off quickly and keep it off without meds, extreme exercise or crash diets.

Weightloss Secret #1: Eat How Our Ancestors Ate

For many, this is the most challenging step, yet the most important.

At this point, you’re probably thinking about all the alternatives; more cardio, more sit ups, more squats… anything to not have to give up the foods you love.